Strength, Food, Education

Through funding from the FRTEP (Federally Recognized

Tribes Extension Program) the UCCE of Humboldt and Del

Norte Counties works closely with residents of the Hoopa

Valley to help build community through gardens, rodeos,

youth programs, nutrition education, food preservation,

education and support for farmers and ranchers, and

traditional food programming.

Here are highlights of more recent activities.

Working with the Hoopa Valley: Hopes, Dreams and Desires

Dorina M Espinoza, Youth, Families and Communities Advisor

UCCE Humboldt/Del Norte Counties

Healthy Food Systems Healthy Environments Healthy Communities Healthy Californians

Nutrition, Youth Development

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program: Staff worked with

Hoopa Valley Elementary School teachers and the California TANF

(Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program to bring nutrition

education to youth and adults.

Positive Youth Development: In addition to Sources of Strength at the

Middle and High School, 4-H staff brought science education,

including food and soil science lessons, to the Hoopa Valley

Elementary School.

Sources of Strength

Hoopa Valley high school and middle school students, teachers,

counselors, and staff of local youth focused programs participated in

two-days of Sources of Strength training.

The students are peer leaders who dedicate time and energy to work

with staff on cultivating an environment of gratitude and strength to

mobilize the community to positively change. Their work

compliments the existing Trauma Informed Movement at the schools.

Through the power of strength, connection and hope the youth and

their adult partners help to prevent suicide, violence, bullying and

substance abuse.

Traditional Foods

Master Food Preserver program: Upon request from Tribal members,

talks have begun to test safe preservation practices of traditional

foods such as acorn mush, salmon, and deer meat.

Food for Thought: Tribal community members throughout the counties

will share their stories of traditional foods, culture, land and more

through audio recordings. The stories will be aired on locations

identified by Tribal communities, KHSU (local public radio station),

UCCE Humboldt/Del Norte websites, and more. These activities will be

hosted and produced by and are the result of a collaboration with the

KHSU Food for Thought radio show.